| Advertisement |
The Chicago Cubs signed 2016 National League MVP Kris Bryant to a $1.05 million, one-year deal, making him the highest-paid player in a second year of service time in major league history. The third baseman's deal reported Thursday night breaks the previous record set by Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout, who re-signed with his team for $1 million in 2014. FanRag Sports first reported Bryant's new contract and it was later confirmed by multiple media outlets.
Advertisement
The 25-year-old Bryant was rewarded after hitting .292 with 39 home runs and 102 RBIs in only his second season, helping the Cubs win their first World Series in 108 years.
Bryant was set to make to $652,000 this season and he won't be eligible for arbitration until the 2018 season. MLB players can become eligible for free agency after their sixth year of service time.
Bryant has played two full major league seasons, but he has not officially hit second-year service eligibility because of the controversial delay by the Cubs on his initial call-up as a rookie in 2015.
The Cubs gained an extra year of service out of Bryant before he can become a free agent when they kept him in the minors for 11 days before his debut on April 17, 2015.
Bryant unanimously won the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year award in his first season after he hit .275 with 26 homers and 99 RBIs.
